It seems Africans are defying centuries of global stereotypes by making individual strides that will re-write history books for the future generations of African descendants globally. All eyes are on Africa throughout the world with many heads shaking & saying “Wow I didn’t know”. Africans have come to the realization that in order to change global perceptions & to move forward to a future that showcases the greatness of the continent, we have to take the reigns in telling our own stories from our own real life point of views, free of centuries of stereotypes & distorted perceptions of the continent & its people.
Marie NDaiye has done just that with her book, “Trois Femmes Puissantes”, telling the story of three strong French African women with different names & occupations, but with a common goal of overcoming their struggles while finding their voices & dignity from one side of the Atlantic to the other. Marie NDaiye has made history today, November 2nd, 2009 as the first woman of African decent to win France’s prestigious Prix Goncourt literary award. A year ago around this time, the world watched with baited breath as a man of African decent, Barack Obama, also did what was perceived as impossible by making history in America, as the 1st President of African descent. Africans are no longer accepting the word impossible in our vocabulary as we continue to have so many shining examples of what is possible from our small villages & throughout the world. Marie NDaiye has put her name, Africa & all of its descendants throughout the diaspora in the history books as a reference to future possibilities, while defying the odds of perceived impossibilities. The future Marie NDaiye’s of the world now have an example of the possibilities of dreams, discipline & self-determination- For this Marie NDaiye is our hero-Let’s applaud her & celebrate her by buying her book & letting publishers know that we need it in our many languages because she speaks to & for all of us! Let us all move forward knowing that we have a vast continent with beautiful stories to tell!
